Track switch box stuffing box



June 5 1942- 'F. c. LAVARACK 2,286,860

. TRACK SWI'TCH'BOX STUFFING BOX Fi led-Dec. 5, 1938 1 l ,i J8 I I 7 5 INVENTOR Patented June 16, 1942 TRACK SWITCH BOX STUFFING BOX Frederick C. Lavarack, Montclair, N. J., assignor to Railroad Accessories Corporation,

New York,

N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 5, 1938, Scrial No. 243,922

9 Claims.

This invention relates to railway electric signalling, more especially to track circuit railway signalling, and more particularly electric switch boxes. 1 1

It is well known to those skilled in the railway signalling art that, at the present time, it is practically essential that every stationary and movable part of the track rails be included as part of the track circuit. It is further known that the movement of a movable part of the track rails should not only interrupt the continuity of the track circuit section but in addition, for traffic safety, the movement of a movable part of the track railshould also shunt the track circuit section. In addition, the movement of a movable part of the track rails should, at times, not only break the track circuit section and cause a shunting of the track circuit section but in addition, the electrical continuity of an electrical conductor controlling a signal governing t-rafiic movement over the section of trackway in which a part of the track rail is movable should also have its continuity discontinued.

In modern signalling practice, the means by which the various circuits above mentioned are properly controlled is by means of what is known as a track switch box. This track switch box is, generally, a cast iron box with a displaceable cover housing electrical make and break contacts which are included in the several circuits to be governed and are operated by a suitable mechanical connection extending to the movable part of the track rail. The most common situation for this track switch box is securely fastened to one of the longer switch ties positioned under the 7 points of a track switch. Regardless of its particular use, a track switch box is invariably positioned down close to the ground in a situation where it is exposed to all of the changes of weather, in position to be exposed, and perhaps, entered by all sorts of small insects which abound in and close to the ground and in addition at times is exposed to surface water which, at times, collects to such an extent as to quite submerge it.

Modern signalling requires apparatus made to a most exacting nicety and of the very best materials to afford perfect operation under all conditions. A switch box commonly has the control wires assembled in a cable entered therein through a side orifice or an end orifice. Those familiar with the unstable and changeable foundation upon which an ordinary switch box is placed and the inclemencies of the weather and depredation of insects to which it may be exposed realize that one very weak point about a switch box and its connection to associated apparatus is the connection of the conductors thereto. Apparently, regardless of how this has been done in the past, it has been unsatisfactory, especially because undue accumulation of surface water could find entrance to the switch box and small insects could also find their way into the switch box through the orifice into which the "conductors were placed. Either of these foreign elements in a switch box is extremely dangerous. The water will short circuit and corrode the contacting parts and the insects will also get between circuit parts and short circuit themv so that false indications will be given by the signals.

A primary object of this invention, is to provide 'a means for allowing a conductor or cable to enter the side wallof a track circuit box in such a way that the entrance of water, insects, fine dust and sand is entirely prevented.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means whereby the entrance of objectionable substances to a switch' box along the conductor entering therein may be prevented by means which not only may be associated with a switch box when initially installed but may also be associated with a switch box after that box has been installed and. the conductor entered therein and connected to its proper terminals without disturbing those connections or removing the conductors from their proper terminals or even removing the conductor from the entrance orifice.

vOther objects and advantages will appear as the description of the particular physical embodiment selected .to illustrate the invention progresses, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing the invention in detail and the particular physical embodiment selected to illustrate the invention, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing and the several views thereon, in 'which'like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views and in which:

Figure 1 is an end elevational view of a track switch box with applicants invention applied thereto, some parts being shown in section and some broken away to more clearly show the con- 'struction; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view on the plane indicated by the line II-II of Fig. I viewed in the direction of the arrows at the ends of the line with the cover of applicants invention broken away to more clearly show the internal construction; Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of a track switch box with applicants invention applied thereto with some of the parts broken away to more clearly show the internal construction; Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view on the plane indicated by the line IVIV of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a detail view of filler plates used in connection with applicants invention.

In the drawing, numeral I designates a track switch box and 2 designates the conductor or cable entering therein through the orifice 3. This orifice is of such size as will admit the largest cable which may possibly be used in connection with the switch box and so very often there is considerable space between the cable and the edges of the orifice which allows foreign substances to enter into the switch box.

In applicants preferred form of his invention a hollow body designated as a whole by S is positioned adjacent the side of the switch box I through which the cable 2 also passes and provision is made for holding the hollow body S firmly against the side of the switch box I and for filling the same with a water repellent heat plastic material 4, such as asphalt, bitumen or rosin, making substantially a water tight contact with the cable 2 and together with the hollow body and its associated parts making substantially a water tight connection with the side of the switch box so that when once installed no water, moisture, dust, dirt, sand or insects may enter the switch box I through the orifice 3.

In the preferred form of the hollow body it is made with two spaced side walls 5 and 6. Each of these side walls is provided with a U-shaped cut out portion 1 open at the top 8 and, in the preferred form, there is an extension substantially in line with the side wall 5 forming flanges 9 and I orificed to receive any suitable or appropriate connecting means as bolts II whereby it may be attached to the side wall of a switch box I.

Before attaching. the hollow body S by means of the flanges 9 and I0 and bolts II to the side wall of a switch box I, it is preferred to interpose a packing or gasket I 2 which may be formed of any suitable or appropriate material but compressed asbestos is preferred by applicant.

The side walls and 6 are connected by a bottom I3 and by end walls I4 and I5 thus forming what is substantially a box.

Applicant prefers to provide means to position and firmly hold the cable 2. In order to do this, applicant provides two half clamps I6 and I I, best shown in Fig. 4'. Each of these clamps is so made that it may rest upon the bottom I3 and is provided with a set screw socket II into which a set screw as I8 screw threaded into the orifice I9 of an end wall may be entered. By the above construction, it will be seen that the conductor 2 may be positioned substantially centrally between the end walls and held firmly from movement sidewise, as viewed in Fig. 4 and substantially from up and down movement and its disposition can be easily adjusted by suitably adjusting the two set screws I8.

By the use of these half clamps I6 and IT to gether with the set screws I8, the conductor 2 is very firmly held and even if the tie or other foundation upon which the switch box I. rests should move up and down, sideways or longitudinally, or even if a pull were exerted upon the outer portion of the conductor 2 it would. still remain in position as fixed by the half clamps so that under no conditions is there any strain brought upon the connecting wires of the conductor at the point where they are usually connected to the usual binding posts within the switch box I.

Either after or before positioning the conductor 2, half plates 20, each provided with a semicircular cut away portion 2I are positioned about the cable 2, as best shown in Fig. 1. The cut away portion 2I allows the plate to fit snugly about the periphery of the cable 2 and the plates 20 are of such size that they rest against the side walls 5 and 6 of the hollow body S thereby making with the hollow body S a compartment into which a suitable and appropriate water repellent heat plastic material 4 may be poured to a suitable height to entirely surround cable 2 and make a tight contact with the plates 20 which are thereby also firmly pressed against the side walls 5 and B so that the net result is that no water, dirt, dust, sand or insects may travel along the conductor 2 into the switch box I through the orifice 3.

Applicant also prefers to provide a top cover 22 which bears firmly against the gasket I2 and against the top edges of the walls 3, 5, 6, M and I5 and is secured in place by any suitable and appropriate means as by bolts 23 passing through orifices in the cover 22 and preferably into ears as 24 on the side walls I4 and I5 of the hollow body or box S. This cover is further preferably formed with a depending portion 25 which is made of such size that it nicely enters the top of the U- shaped cut away portion I in the outer side wall 6' and conveniently comes to rest upon a conductor as 2 thereby further assisting in holding the conductor 2 in proper position,

Applicants hollow body or box or stuffing box as herein described when applied to the side of a switch box and secured firmly thereto by means of bolts, as I I, after i'nterposi'ng a suitable washer or gasket or packing I2 and then the several parts assembled about the conductor as hereinbefore described provides a means by which a conductor entering aswitch box may be so surrounded and protected that it is impossible for any water, dust, dirt, sand or insects to enter switch box through the orifice as 3, provided for the entrance of the conductor thereto.

It should be further observed that as the cut away portions I are U-shaped and are open at the top that applicants device may be put in place on an existing switch box having a conductor 2 entering the side thereof without disturbing the connection of the conductors of the cable because the hollow body S or stuffing box may be moved upwardly under the conductor and be made to surround it without in any way moving the conductor and then the several parts may be assembled all as hereinbefore described, it only being necessary to make proper orifices in the switch box I to receive the bolts I I.

Although I have particularly described one particular physical embodiment of my invention and explained the operation, construction and principle thereof, nevertheless, I desire to have it understood that the form selected is merely illustrative, but does not exhaust the possible physical embodiments of the idea of means underlying my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A track electric switch box, including in combination: a hollow body including two spaced side walls each formed with a cut away portion opening in a top edge of a Wall whereby the hollow body may be placed about a conductor in place entering a side wall of a track switch box and may receive water repellent heat plastic material to surround the periphery of the conductor and hold it immovable, means to prevent the heat plastic material from running out at the cut away portion and means to secure one of the side walls water tight against a side wall of a switch box whereby water is prevented from entering the switch box along the conductor.

2. A track electric switch box, including in combination: a hollow body including two spaced side walls each formed with a cut away portion opening in a top edge of a wall whereby the hollow body may be placed about a conductor in place entering a side wall or a track switch box and may receive water repellent heat plastic material to surround the periphery of the conductor and hold it immovable, means to prevent the heat plastic material from running out at the cut away portion and means to secure one of the side walls water tight against a Side wall of a switch box, whereby water is prevented from entering the switch box along the conductor and a separable cover for said hollow body and means for securely attaching the cover to the hollow body.

3. A track electric switch box, including in combination: a hollow body including two' spaced side walls each formed with a cut away portion opening in a top edge of a wall whereby the hollow body may be placed about a conductor in place entering a side wall of a track switch box and may receive water repellent heat plastic material to surround the periphery of the conductor and hold it immovable, means to prevent the heat plastic material from running out at the cut away portion also including means connecting the side walls and means for positioning the conductor with relation to the walls of the hollow body, said last named means including adjustable means passing through and supported by the said means connecting the side walls.

4. A track electric switch box, including in combination: a hollow body including two spaced side walls each formed with a cut away portion opening in a top edge of a wall whereby the hollow body may be placed about a conductor in place entering a side wall of a track switch box and may receive water repellent heat plastic material to surround the periphery of the conductor and hold it immovable, means to prevent the heat plastic material from running out at the cut away portion and means to secure one of the side walls water tight against a side wall of a switch box, whereby water is prevented from entering the switch box along the conductor and a separable cover for said hollow body and means for securely attaching the cover to the hollow body, said cover including means for substantially closing the opening left by the conductor thereabove in the cut away portion in the wall remote from the railway track switch box and said means further bearing against the top of the conductor to hold down securely toward the bottom curve of the U-shaped cut away portion.

5. A packing box for the entrance of a conductor to a railway switch box comprising two spaced side walls and means connecting said side walls forming all together a receptacle for a water repellent heat plastic material, said side walls each formed with substantially a U-shaped cut away portion with an open top whereby said box may be placed around a conductor in place entering a track switch box and then receive a heat plastic material surrounding the conductor to prevent water entering the switch box along the conductor and hold it immovable, means for preventing the heat plastic material from running out at the U-shaped cut away portion and means for securing one of the walls tightly to a side wall of a trackway switch box.

6. A track electric switch box, including in combination: a hollow body including two spaced side walls each formed with a cut away portion opening in a top edge of a wall whereby the hollow body may be placed about a conductor in place entering a side wall of a track switch box and may receive water repellent heat plastic material to surround the periphery of the conductor and hold it immovable; end walls connecting the side walls; four plates, each formed with substantially semi-circular cut away portions, said plates being placed with two of each bearing against one side wall and two of each bearing against the opposite side wall with the semicircular cut away portions surrounding the conductor whereby the heat plastic material is prevented from running out at the cut away portions of the side walls; said side walls each being orificed to receive a set screw; two screws, one threaded into each orifice; two half clamps, one half clamp being positioned on one side of the conductor and the other half clamp on the other side of the conductor and each half clamp having a set screw bearing thereagainst whereby the conductor may be positioned in relation to the walls of the hollow body.

'7. A track electric switch box, including in combination: a hollow body including two spaced side walls each formed with a cut away portion opening in a top edge of a wall whereby the hollow body may be placed about a conductor in place entering a side wall of a track switch box and may receive water repellent heat plastic material to surround the periphery of the conductor and hold it immovable; end walls connecting the side walls; four plates, each formed with substantially semi-circular cut away portion, said plates being placed with two of each bearing against one side wall and two of each bearing against the opposite side Wall with the semicircular cut away portions surrounding the conductor whereby the heat plastic material is prevented from running out at the cut away portions of the side walls; said side walls each being orificed to receive a set screw; two screws, one threaded into each orifice; two half clamps, one half clamp being positioned on one side of the conductor and the other half clamp on the other side of the conductor and each half clamp having a set screw bearing thereagainst whereby the conductor may be positioned in relation to the walls of the hollow body and means to secure one of the side walls water tight against a side wall of switch box whereby water is prevented from entering the switch box along a conductor.

8. A track electric switch box, including in combination: a hollow body including two spaced side walls each formed with a cut away portion opening in a top edge of a wall whereby the hollow body may be placed about a conductor in place entering a side wall of a track switch box, and may receive water repellent heat plastic material to surround the periphery of the conductor and hold it immovable; end walls connecting the side walls; four plates, each formed with a substantially semi-circular cut away portion, said plates being placed with two of each bearing against one side wall and two of each bearing against the opposite side wall with the semi-circular cut away portions surrounding the conductor whereby the heat plastic material is prevented from running out at the cut away portions of the side walls; said side walls each being orificed to receive a set screw; two screws, one threaded into each orifice; two half clamps, one half clamp being positioned on one side of the conductor and the other half clamp on the other side of the conductor and each half clamp having a set screw bearing thereagainst whereby the conductor may be positioned in relation to the walls of the hollow body; two flanges, one'extending in one direction from an end wall and the other extending in another direction from an end wall and substantially in line with a side wall; said flanges each being orificed to receive a fastening means and fastening means passing through said orifices and into the side of a track switch box for attaching the hollow body tightly against the side wall of a switch box.

9. A track electric switch box, including in combination: a hollow body including two spaced side walls each formed with a cut away portion opening in a top edge of a wall whereby the hollow body may be placed about a conductor in place entering a side wall of a, track switch box, and may receive water repellent heat plastic material to surround the periphery of the conductor and hold it immovable; end walls connecting the side walls; four plates, each formed with a substantially semi-circular cut away portion, said plates being placed with two of each bearing against the opposite side walls with the semicircular cut away portions surrounding the conductor whereby the heat plastic material is prevented from running out at the cut away portions of the side Walls; said side walls each being orificed to receive a set screw; two screws, one threaded into each orifice; two half clamps, one half clamp being positioned on one side of the conductor and the other half clamp on the other side of the conductor and each half clamp having a set screw bearing thereagainst whereby the conductor may be positioned in relation to the walls of the hollow body; two flanges, one extending in one direction from an end Wall and the other extending in another direction from an end wall and substantially in line with a side wall; said flanges each being orificed to receive a fastening means and fastening means passing through said orifices and into the side of a track switch box for attaching the hollow body tightly against the side wall of a switch box, and a gasket interposed between flanges and the side wall and the switch box for forming a water tight connection therebetween.

FREDERICK C. LAVARACK. 

